Recent tendencies in distribution of epiphytic bryophytes in urban areas: a Wrocław case study (south-west Poland).

2012·0.32 MB·

by  Fudali, Ewa

Polish Botanical Journal 57(1): 231–241, 2012
RECENT TENDENCIES IN DISTRIBUTION OF EPIPHYTIC
BRYOPHYTES IN URBAN AREAS: A WROCŁAW CASE STUDY
(SOUTH-WEST POLAND)
EWA FUDALI
Abstract. The lists of moss and liverwort species found on tree-trunks in the Wrocław parks obtained in three recent surveys (in
the years 2000, 2006 and 2011) were compared and changes in species composition and abundance of records were discussed
to defi ne apparent recent trends in the bryo-epiphyte occurrence within the city. General ecological requirements of the species
colonizing tree-trunks in relation to substratum reaction were analyzed. In the last decade there has been greater bryophyte
colonization of tree-trunks in the city. This effort is realized by an infl ux of additional species from outside, mainly obligate
epiphytes (both acidophilic and subneutrophilic), by expansion of urban epiphytes tolerant of city conditions - such as the acido-
philic Dicranoweisia cirrata (Hedw.) Lindb. and eurybiontic Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. and Amblystegium serpens (Hedw.)
Schimp., as well as by species occurring in urban areas on other substrata (often on walls) but which are able also to colonize
the bark of trees. Details of the epiphytes occurring in the Wrocław parks are here provided for the fi rst time.
Key words: urban bryophytes, bryophyte dynamics, acidophilic epiphytes, Orthodicranum tauricum, Wrocław, Poland
Ewa Fudali, Departament of Botany and Plant Ecology, Wrocław University of the Life and Environmental Sciences, Pl. Grun-
waldzki 24A, 50-363 Wrocław, Poland; e-mail: [email protected]
INTRODUCTION
The second half of the 20th century is generally the preceding 30 years. Only two of them were
regarded as a period of retreat and extinction of acidophilic. Among 24 obligate epiphytes recorded
epiphytes due to increase in air pollution and high in the years 1992–1995 nine were not reported
exposure of SO , NO and dust (for example, before the year 1950 (Bates et al. 1997).
2 x
Barkmann 1958; Gilbert 1968, 1970, 1971; Rao During the 20th century many epiphytic mosses
1982). and liverworts almost completely disappeared from
At the end of the 20th century Greven (1992) city centers and they remained in cities only in
reported a new phenomenon, observed by him in parks, with species richness and frequency rather
the forests of Holland, where there was an abun- low (Seaward 1979; Wittig 1991; During 1992;
dant occurrence of epiphytic bryophyte species that Fudali 1994). In many cases only Hypnum cupres-
had not been previously documented in the 1950s. siforme Hedw. and Dicranoweisia cirrata (Hedw.)
They all showed a preference for acid substrata. Lindb. appeared to be sustainable in city condi-
Greven (1992) named them ‘acidophilic epiphytes’ tions, although other epiphytic bryophytes were
and their infl ux and range expansion resulted from noted sporadically within urban areas (Nordhorn-
acidifi cation due to acid rain which altered the Richter & Düll 1982; Ron et al. 1987; Müller 1993;
nature of the tree bark and thus increased the Fudali 1996, 2005; Vanderpoorten 1997; Solga
number of habitats available for these epiphytes 1998; Hohenwalner 2000; Fojcik & Stebel 2001;
to colonize. Surveys undertaken by Bates et al. Humer-Hochuimmer & Zechmeister 2001).
(1997) across southern Britain showed an increase Müller (1993) analyzed the distribution of
in the number of records of 13 obligate epiphytes mosses and liverworts within the town of Halle
in comparison with their distributions mapped over in the 1990s and suggested the possibility of
232 POLISH BOTANICAL JOURNAL 57(1). 2012
bryo-epiphyte vegetation recovery in this town. was 583 mm), and quite frequent are series of
This was subsequently confirmed by Richter wet years with an annual rainfall higher than
et al. (2009) in a survey carried out in the years 600 mm. In the years 1997 and 1998, 2009 and
2005–2006. Recently, Stapper and Kricke (2004) 2010 summer fl oods appeared. The average an-
reported a visible increase in the number of epi- nual temperature is 9°C; annual amplitude of
phytic bryophytes found in the area of Dusseldorf temperature 19.2°C. Winters are short (65 days)
town between 1979 and 2003. and mild, with frequent periods of warming in
Considering the reports from German towns February up to 10–15°C. The most frequent winds
and the fact that an expansion of acidophilic epi- are from the west (25% of days in a year) and
phytes has been recently confi rmed from many south (23.1%). Within the center of Wrocław an
regions of Poland (Stebel 2006; Stebel et al. 2008; urban island of warming was detected (Dubicka
Fojcik 2011; Fudali et al. 2010) the author formu- & Szymanowski 2000).
lated the following questions: have acidophilic The vegetation of the region is deciduous mes-
epiphytes came to Wrocław town and established? ophilous forests with a prevalence of oaks and
Are there any preferences in distribution? Have hornbeams (Matuszkiewicz et al. 1995) but the
other bryophytes shown epiphytic tendencies in the surrounding area for many centuries has been used
city in the last decade and what are their ecological for agriculture. In the last decade there has been
requirements in relation to substratum reaction a strong increase of building investment within
and type? the town.
Preliminary results of studies on the bryophyte Parks chosen for study differ in their area
dynamics in fi ve large parks of Wrocław (Fudali (from 2.52 ha to 1000 ha), history, architecture of
2007) revealed an increase in the number of species greenery and location in relation to the city center
colonizing tree-trunks between 2000 and 2006 and (Fudali 2001) but the all are historical sites and
a further infl ux of new epiphytes in 2011 (Fudali were established in the 19th century or at the begin-
2011). In the present paper a list of moss and liv- ning of the 20th century. Four of them are situated
erwort species found on tree-trunks in 15 Wrocław within old historical center, others are situated out-
parks in the years 2000, 2006 and 2011 with details side but still within built up areas (Fig. 1).
of their occurrence, abundance and tree host pref-
erences (published for the fi rst time) is presented MATERIAL AND METHODS
and changes in the species composition, records
frequency and distribution are discussed in relation Field studies entailed the making of a precise bryofl o-
to recent trends in the bryo-epiphytes occurrence ristic inventory within 15 parks situated in the area of
Wrocław town and the collection of herbarium speci-
within the city. General ecological requirements
mens for taxonomic identifi cation. In each park every
in relation to substratum reaction of the species
tree was examined. For each occurrence of a bryophyte
colonizing tree-trunks were analyzed to determine
species the tree host was identifi ed and height of a bryo-
the number of the acidophilic epiphytes.
phyte patch situated on the tree-trunk (up to 50 cm or
Wrocław is one of the biggest towns in Poland higher) recorded. The studies were regularly repeated
and occupies an area of 290 km² with a population at 5–6 years intervals since 2000. Since 2006 some ad-
of almost 700 000 inhabitants. It was established ditional observations have been made along main streets
at the end of the 12th century and was in the past and within 10 selected housing estates with green af-
an administrative, political and industrial center forested areas.
In total 1680 records were made and 136 herbarium
in the region of Lower Silesia. Through the town,
specimens were collected. The latter are deposited in the
from SE to NW, fl ows the river Odra with its four
herbarium [KRAM-B]. Nomenclature of mosses follows
tributaries.
Ochyra et al. (2003) with the exception of Rosulabryum
The annual rainfall is highly variable and
moravicum (Podp.) Ochyra & Stebel. General ecological
ranges between 318 to 892 mm annually (av- requirements of the species analyzed in relation to sub-
erage annual precipitation in the 20th century strate reaction were extracted from Dierssen’s (2001)
E. FUDALI: RECENT TENDENCIES IN DISTRIBUTION OF EPIPHYTIC BRYOPHYTES IN URBAN AREAS 233
Fig. 1. Situation of the parks studied on the background of the Wrocław town land use (according to Dubicka & Szymanowski
2000, modifi ed). 1 – parks studied, 2 – densely built up area, 3 – industrial buildings, 4 – housing settlements, 5 – municipal
forests, 6 – open area, rural or neglected; C – historical center of the town.
characterization of the European bryophytes ecological cies were recorded (Table 1), often growing at
amplitudes. a height of 0.5 to 3.0 m above the ground. Among
them only Orthotrichum diaphanum Schrad. ex
Brid., and Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid.,
RESULTS
were frequently recorded and abundant.
SPECIES DIVERSITY OF COLONIZING BRYOPHYTES The bryophyte species were collected from 26
tree species, but the most frequently colonized tree
Altogether 36 species were recorded from tree
host species were: Quercus robur L. (24 species),
trunks in urban parks, along major streets, and
Fraxinus excelsior L. (18), Acer platanoides L.
within housing estates, including two liverworts
(17), cultivars of Populus L. (17) and Betula pen-
(Lophocolea heterophylla (Schrad.) Dumort. and
dula Roth. (16).
Ptilidium pulcherrimum (Weber) Vain.) and 34
Trunks of trees growing individually along
mosses (Table 1). In the parks, most often the
main streets were devoid of bryophytes.
species colonized the lower parts of tree trunks.
Only Dicranoweisia cirrata and Hypnum cupressi-
INCREASE SPECIES RICHNESS AND FLUCTUATIONS
forme occurred also quite abundantly on tree trunks
IN SPECIES COMPOSITION
higher than 50 cm above the ground. Bryophytes
were also recorded on a few trees occurring within Since the year 2000 the number of species colo-
some of housing estates – in total four moss spe- nizing tree trunks in Wrocław’s parks has increased
234 POLISH BOTANICAL JOURNAL 57(1). 2012
Table 1. List of species colonizing tree-trunks in the Wrocław’s parks in the period of 2000–2011 ordered according to their maintenance and the year of their record with brief characteristics of their station’s abundance and range. A – tree trunk at height more than 50 cm above the ground level, B – tree trunk up to 50 cm above the ground level, N – total number of records, O – total number of parks, in which species was noted, PC – parks situated in the city center, PP – parks out of the center; ¹ – in Wrocław Dicranum scoparium occurred exclusively on trees (Fudali 2001, 2007, 2011), * – species noted also on few trees within housing estates studied, ● – specialized epiphytic species, • – epiphytic-epilithic species; abbreviations for tree species: Ac – Acer platanoides L., Ae – Aesculus hippocastanum L., Al – Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn., An – Acer negundo L., Ap – Acer pseudoplatanus L., Be – Betula pendula Roth., Ca – Carpinus betulus L., Co – Cornus mas L., Cr – Crategus L. sp., Cs – Cerasus avium (L.) Moenck, ×Fr – Fraxinus excelsior L., Pa – Picea abies (L.) H. Karnst, Pi – Pyrus communis L., Pl – Platanus acerifolia (Aiton) Willd., Pr – Prunus L. sp., Ps – Pinus sylvestris L., Px – cultivars of Populus L. sp., Qu – Quercus robur L., Qr – Quercus rubra L., Ro – Robinia pseudoacacia L., Sa – Salix alba L., Th – Thuja occidentalis L., Ti – Tilia cordata Mill., Ul – Ulmus laevis Pall., Tulip – Liriodendron tulipifera L. 2000 20062011SpeciesPPNOPPNNOPCPPNO 2000-2011SPECIESPERSISTENTINTHEYEARSA11752281-Ac 2-Ac,Fr; 1-Ti,Px,Qu1-Px10-Ac; 4-Cs; 3-Fr; 2-Ro; 1-Qu,Sa*Amblystegium serpens 45-Ac; 26-Qu; 20-Fa; 18-Fr; 13-Qr; 5-Ac,Fr; 3-Qu; 11-Fr; 9-Ac; 4-Qr; (Hedw.) Schimp.1889B1662861-Ac9-Ca,Px; 8-Al,Ro,Sa; 7-Ti; 4-Be,Pa; 1-Fa,Ro,Ti2-Ro,Qu,Pr; 3-Ul; 1-Ae,Ap,PlA 0032 332-Be; 1-Ac2-Fr;1-PxBrachytheciastrum velutinum 4-Qr; 2-Fr,Qu; 18-Ac; 9-Be; 5-Fr; 4-Al,Qr,Qu,Ro; (Hedw.) Ignatov & HuttunenB12124 6071-Ac,Qu1-Ac,Be,Ro,Ti2-Ca,Cr,Ti,Ul; 1-Ap,Sa,Th,PlA 0 0 221-Be,Sa*Brachythecium rutabulum 17-Qu; 14-Ac; 7-Be; 4-Fr; (Hedw.) Schimp.656B1141 ,Ro,Fa; 2-Ca; 1-Cs2-Ro,Ti3-Al,Cr,Qr1-Ae,Ap,Pa,Px,Th,TiA21431272-Be3-Qu; 1-Ro,Ti1-Ac,Ae,Ro3-Ac; 1-Be,Fr,Qu,Px,Ro,Sa*Ceratodon purpureus Hedw.2-Al,Fr,Ro; 12-Ac; 6-Qu; 5-Fr,Qr,Ro; 3-Fa; 2-Be; B32944292-Fr; 1-Ac1-Px1-Ac,Be,Qr1-Ca,Th,Ul18-Ac; 16-Be; 10-Qu; 5-Px; 3-Al,Cs,Ro; A32103 6453-Qu5-Qu; 2-Ac,Be; 1-Fr2-Ac,Qr; 1-Ca,Cr,Fa,FrDicranoweisia cirrata (Hedw.) ●Lindb.48-Qu; 18-Be; 13-Al; 8-Ac; 7-Ti; 5-Px; B64104 11352-Ac,Qu; 1-Be,Pa4-Be,Qu; 1-Fr,Ro4-Qr; 3-Pa; 2-Ae,Fr; 1-Fa,Ro,Pi 41 22A11,Qu1-Px,Qx1-Qu2-Px; 1-Be¹Dicranum scoparium Hedw.●0 B 0 422-Qu; 1-Be,Fr9-Be,Qu; 5-Px; 19-Qu; 15-Ac; 7-Px; 6-Fr; 5-Be,Cs,Sa; A9432678104-Px; 2-Qu,Ro; 1-Ca1-Ac,Px4-Ac,Fr; 1-Ro,Ti4-Al,Ro; 3-Qr; 1-Cr,Ti,UlHypnum cupressiforme Hedw.167-Qu; 58-Ac; 36-Be;32-Al; 26-Fr; 31-Qu; 13-Ac; 31-Qu; 5-Ac; 4-Px; 6474209B446Fr; 3-Ti; 1-Ac24-Qr; 17-Px,Ti; 8-Ca; 7-Fa,Ro; 6-Sa; 5-Be,3-Fr; 2-Be; 1-Ro2-Cr,Px,Ro; 1-Ca 5-Pa; 3-Ae,Ul; 1-Ae,Ap,Pi,TulipA1111 001-Qu1-BeLophocolea heterophylla (Schrad.) Dumort.B5211 1024-Qu;1-Pa1-Qu7-Qu; 1-Be,Pl,Ti
E. FUDALI: RECENT TENDENCIES IN DISTRIBUTION OF EPIPHYTIC BRYOPHYTES IN URBAN AREAS 235
0 1 2 1 2 2 3 1 3 5 1 3 3 6 6 86 1 1 1 12 1 212557
0 1 3 1 3 17 3 1 5 24 2 5 6 18 26 1738 1 2 1 16 1 21391921
Ul
a,
1-Qr 2-Qu; 1-Be 1-Qu 3-Qu 9-Be; 3-Qu; 2-Al; 1-Fa,Fr,Px 1-An,Cs,Px 1-Sa 2-Ac,Px; 1-Ro10-Fr; 5-Ac; 3-Px; 2-Qr; 1-Ae,Be,Qu,Ro,Sa 2-Qu 3-Cs,Px,Sa 2-Ac,Qu; 1-Cs,Th 7-Ac; 4-Cs; 2-Fr; 1-Ap,Cr,Qu 13-Ac; 5-Qu; 3-Px; 2-Fr; 1-Al,Be 5-Ac; 4-Qu; 2-Fr; 1-Al,Ap,Be,Cs,Ti22-Qu; 6-Ac; 2-Be,Px; 1-Al,Fr,Pl,S 1-Ac 2-Ac 1-Qu 1-Qu4-Qu; 1-Be,Fr 1-Sa 1-Ac,Qu1-Qu2-Ac; 1-Cs1-Qu,Px,Sa7-Px; 3-Ac,Fr; 1-Ap,Cr,Fr 5-Ac; 3-Fr,Px; 2-Ro; 1-Sa
cu
AQ
c,Px x ce c c,Frx; 1-r; 1-
A P AB A APF
1- 1- 1-1- 1- 3-2-6-
0 1 2 1 2 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 2 03 0 0 0 00 0 000000
0 1 5 1 4 3 2 1 2 3 1 1 0 0 3 03 0 0 0 00 0 000000
Ti
Be, Pa Ro Qu Fr
1-Qu 3-Qu; 1- 1-Ro 4-Qu 1-Be,Qu, 1-Fr,Px 1-Fr 2-Qu 1-Px,Qu, 2011GIN 1-Qu 1-Px 1-Cs,Fr, 2-Qu; 1-
N
1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 2 RI 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 0 0 00 0 000000
R
U
2 0 2 1 2 2 1 1 0 5 C 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 0 0 00 0 000000
C
O
L
L
TI
S
o D
R N
c, A
Qu,Ro Pa,Qu Pa Qu,Ti Qu Px Qu Qu; 1-A 2006 N 2011N
1- 1- 1- 1- 2- 1- 1- 3- EI EI
M M
A B B B B B A B A B TI B A B A B AB TI B B B AB B ABABAB
T T
Orthodicranum montanum (Hedw.) Loeske● Plagiothecium curvifolium Schlieph. ex Limpr.Plagiothecium denticulatum (Hedw.) Schimp.Plagiothecium laetum Schimp.●Pohlia nutans (Hedw.) Lindb. Pylaisia polyantha (Hedw.) Schimp.• Rosulabryum moravicum (Podp.) Ochyra & Stebel• S PECIESREPORTEDFORTHEFIRS Mnium hornum Hedw. Orthotrichum affi ne Schrad. ex Brid.● Orthotrichum pallens Bruch ex Brid.• Platygyrium repens (Brid.) Schimp.● S PECIESREPORTEDFORTHEFIRS Bryum argenteum Hedw. Dicranella heteromalla (Hedw.) Schimp. Herzogiella seligeri (Brid.) Z. Iwats. Hypnum pallescens (Hedw.) P. Beauv.● Leptodictyum riparium (Hedw.) Warnst. Orthodicranum tauricum (Sapjegin) Smirnova● Orthotrichum anomalum Hedw. *Orthotrichum diaphanum Schrad. ex Brid.•
236 POLISH BOTANICAL JOURNAL 57(1). 2012
O 1 5 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 00 0 0
N 1 7 7 2 1 1 1 2 1 00 0 0
1
01 Ti
2 r,Sa, 1-Ti
Ac,F Qu;
x; 1- c,Fr, e,Ro x c c,Be
PP Ac 2-P 2-A 1-B 1-P 1-A 1-A
x c x
C P A P
P 1- 1- 1-
O 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01 1 1
N
N 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01 1 1
6
0
0
2
PP 1-Fr 2011 1-Fr 1-Qu
N
O 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 DI 0 0
1 N
1 U
N 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 O 0 0
2 F
2000 OUNDIN DNOTRE
REF AN
OT 06
PP 6 ANDN 1-Qu 20MEIN
A A B B A B A B A 200 AB TTI B A
Table 1. Continued. Species Orthotrichum pumilum Sw. ex anon. • Orthotrichum speciosum Nees● Plagiomnium cuspidatum (Hedw.) T. Kop. Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske• Sciuro-hypnum populeum (Hedw.) Ignatov & Huttunen Syntrichia virescens (De Not.) Ochyra• S 2000 PECIESREPORTEDINAND Leskea polycarpa Hedw.● SPECIESREPORTEDFORTHEFIRS Aulacomnium androgynum (Hedw.) Schwägr. Ptilidium pulcherrimum (Weber) Vain.
E. FUDALI: RECENT TENDENCIES IN DISTRIBUTION OF EPIPHYTIC BRYOPHYTES IN URBAN AREAS 237
Table 2. Number of species reported from tree trunks in the
years of the bryofl oristical surveys. A – tree-trunks at height
more than 50 cm above the ground level, B – tree-trunks at
height up to 50 cm above the ground level.
2000 2006 2011
Category of parks A B A B A B
Number of species
16 22 33
All the parks
10 13 11 20 21 32
0 1 10
Parks in the town center
0 0 0 1 9 7
16 21 32
Parks situated out of the center
10 13 11 19 21 30
Fig. 2. Substratum preferences of species recorded from tree
markedly, especially in parks situated out of the trunks in the parks with regards to the date of their records.
historical center (Table 2). Comparison of the Species occurring on: G – soil (exclusively), E – trees bark
species lists obtained in the years of observation (exclusively), L – walls (exclusively), X – decayed wood (ex-
clusively), P – more than two substratum types.
shows that among 36 species reported 15 (42 %)
have maintained a presence within the town’s parks
during the 11 years and only one species, Leskea
polycarpa Hedw., recorded in 2000 and 2006 has
not been found subsequently (Table 1). In 2006,
7 species were recorded for the fi rst time, but
two of them, Aulacomnium androgynum (Hedw.)
Schwägr., and Ptilidium pulcherrimum, were not
refound in 2011. In 2011 an additional 14 species
were collected from tree trunks for the fi rst time.
ECOLOGICAL CHARACTER OF THE SPECIES
RECORDED FROM TREE-TRUNKS
Analysis of the species’ habitat reaction and sub-
Fig. 3. General ecological requirements in relation to the sub-
stratum preferences shows that only 10 species
stratum reaction of the species recorded from tree trunks in
are obligate epiphytes (Fig. 2). Among others the the parks with regards to the date of their records. Reaction of
most frequent are 7 species occurring both on tree substratum: AC – acid, BA – basic, c – considerably, h – highly,
bark and walls (epilithic-epiphytic species) and m – moderately, SB – subneutral.
11 species colonizing more than two substratum
considerably acid to subneutral – 31%. The per-
types (multi-substrata species). The latter dominate
centage incidence of subneutral and subneutral
among the persistent species while those noted for
to basophilic species is also high – 25% (Fig. 3).
the fi rst time in the years 2006 and 2011 show
Most of the latter species have appeared recently
ecological differentiation and more than half of
(reported for the fi rst time in the year 2011).
them (11 species or 52%) were obligate epiphytes
or epiphytic-epilithic species.
CHANGES IN SPECIES ABUNDANCE
Analysis of the species requirements towards
AND DISTRIBUTION
substratum reaction revealed a high percentage
incidence of both highly to moderate acidophilic The 7 (47%) ‘persistent’ species have shown
species – 33% and eurybiontic species occurring constant and multiple increase of the number of
in habitats of wide amplitude of reaction from records and parks in which they were observed
238 POLISH BOTANICAL JOURNAL 57(1). 2012
(Table 1). These are: multi-substratum species The changes described above in species abun-
of wide amplitude in relation to the substratum dance and distribution refer to parks situated out
reaction (from considerably acid to subneutral) of the historical town center. Trees situated in
as Amblystegium serpens, Brachytheciastrum parks within the city center have been sporadi-
velutinum (Hedw.) Ignatov & Huttunen, Brach- cally colonized by mosses (Table 1). However
ythecium rutabulum (Hedw.) Schimp., Ceratodon the bryo-fl oristic inventory done in the year 2011
purpureus and Hypnum cupressiforme, acidophilic revealed a striking increase in the number of spe-
epiphyte Dicranoweisia cirrata and epiphytic-epi- cies colonizing tree-trunks in the period between
lithic species of undetermined reaction preferences 2006 and 2011 (10 new species). They show high
(Dierssen 2001) Rosulabryum moravicum (Podp.) ecological similarity (Table 3).
Ochyra & Stebel. The remaining ‘persistent’ spe-
cies have not shown such spectacular changes in
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
their abundance and distribution.
Three of the species reported for the first During the last 11 years the number of species
time in the year 2006 also have shown constant colonizing tree trunks in the Wrocław municipal
tendency to establishment (Table 1). These are parks doubled from 16 to 33, including 5 new
two obligate epiphytes of quite wide ecological obligate epiphytic species not previously noted in
amplitude in relation to the substratum reaction the city (Fudali 2001): Orthodicranum tauricum
(from moderately acid to subneutral) Orthotrichum (Sapjegin) Smirnova, Hypnum pallescens, Orthot-
pallens Bruch ex Brid., and Platygyrium repens richum affi ne, O. pumilum Sw., O. speciosum. Only
(Brid.) Schimp., as well as the epiphytic-epilithic one eiphytic species, Leskea polycarpa, was not
species Orthotrichum pallens preferring habitats refound in 2011.
of subneutral reaction. These new epiphytes differ in their require-
Most of the species recorded for the fi rst time ments towards substratum reaction: three of them
in the year 2011 occurred sporadically with the prefer subneutral to basic habitats (species of the
exception of subneutrophilic species: the epiphyte genus Orthotrichum) and two are acidophytes
Orthotrichum speciosum Nees and epiphytic-epi- (Orthodicranum tauricum, Hypnum pallescens).
lithic species O. diaphanum as well as epilithic The surveys demonstrate that some acidophilic
O. anomalum Hedw., colonizing moderately acid epiphytes sensu Greven (1992) have reached
to subneutral habitats, which were noted several Wrocław town recently and are establishing. They
times. were reported from the largest parks situated out
of the city center and their sites were in every
Table 3. Ecological character of the species recorded in 2011 case situated on the parks’ borders in the vicinity
on tree-trunks in the parks situated in the city center. Explana- of a street. Quercus robur trunks seem to be a fa-
tions as for Figs 2 and 3.
voured substrate.
Orthodicranum tauricum is considered to be
Substratum Substratum
Name of species a species signifi cantly expanding its range in
reaction preferences
Europe in the second half of the 20th century
Amblystegium serpens c AC-SB P
Bryum argenteum SB G-L (Söderstrom 1992). In Poland, until 1986 the spe-
Ceratodon purpureus m AC-SB P cies was known only from eight localities but
Hypnum cupressiforme h AC-SB P since the late 1980’s the number of its new sta-
Orthotrichum diaphanum SB-BA E-L tions increased remarkably to about 70 (Stebel
Orthotrichum pallens SB E-L et al. 2008). Some of these stations are situated
Orthotrichum pumilum SB-BA E-L within administrative borders of Polish cities
Orthotrichum speciosum SB E and towns (Katowice, Kraków, Łódź, Poznań,
Platygyrium repens m AC-SB E Rybnik, Zgierz) but always in municipal forests
Syntrichia virescens SB-BA E-L
or nature reserves. In Wrocław the species was
E. FUDALI: RECENT TENDENCIES IN DISTRIBUTION OF EPIPHYTIC BRYOPHYTES IN URBAN AREAS 239
recorded in three distant sites within two large dorf (Stapper & Kricke 2004) and Halle (Richter
historical parks (Zachodni, Szczytnicki) estab- et al. 2009).
lished in the past within natural forests but pres- A number of other normally epilithic species
ently surrounded by buildings. Orthodicranum are occurring with remarkable frequency as epi-
tauricum was also reported from the German city phytes on tree trunks (Fudali 2005): Dryptodon
Düsseldorf (Stapper & Kricke 2004) as very rare, pulvinatus (Hedw.) Brid., and Bryum argenteum
but without details of its habitat. The reasons for Hedw., in Düsseldorf (Stapper & Kricke 2004),
the spread of Orthodicranum tauricum are still Orthotrichum pumilum in Halle (Richter et al.
unclear; some authors suggested that it may be 2009) and Orthotrichum pallens in Wrocław.
associated with acidifi cation of habitats (Greven The appearance of epiphytic tendencies in spe-
1992; Söderstrom 1992) or climatic changes cies overgrowing rocks was reported already by
(Stebel et al. 2008). Barkmann (1958).
Considering the problem of the supposed ex- The recent increase in the number of species
pansion of acidophilic epiphytes in urban areas it colonizing tree trunks in towns has been earlier
is worth stressing that Dicranoweisia cirrata, clas- reported from Germany. Surveys undertaken by
sifi ed by Greven (1992) in this ecological group, Stapper & Kricke (2004) in the Düsseldorf town
showed a remarkable increase in a number of sta- reported signifi cant increase in corticolous bryo-
tions in the Wrocław parks. Similar changes in this phyte species diversity between 1979 and 2003. On
species distribution and frequency were reported the trunks of 1015 trees they found 23 bryophyte
from two German towns: Düsseldorf (Stapper species of which 11 are also reported in Wrocław.
& Kricke 2004) and Halle (Richter et al. 2009). They identifi ed three species of Orthotrichum, of
The species is known to be tolerant of acid pre- which O. affi ne and O. diaphanum occurred with
cipitation (Dierssen 2001). high frequency.
The studies carried out in Wrocław parks Richter et al. (2009) encountered 40 bryophyte
revealed also a remarkable increase in the spe- species colonizing tree trunks within Halle town
cies richness of bryophytes preferring substrata in the years 2005–2006, while in the same area
of subneutral or basic reaction, mainly rocks Müller (1993) collected from trees 21 species, in-
(or walls in towns) and tree bark, including 4 cluding 10 obligate epiphytes. Unfortunately these
species of Orthotrichum genus. These species authors did not provide a full list of recently re-
showed a tendency to colonize tree bark even in corded species but they listed two new epiphytes:
parks situated in the city center and those trees Orthotrichum affi ne and Ulota bruchii Hornsch.
growing within housing estates. The Orthotri- Except for Pylaisia polyantha all species noted by
chum species were collected mainly from the Müller (1993) still occurred. They also noticed that
trunks of Fraxinus excelsior, hybrids of Populus some obligate epiphytic species, especially Orthot-
sp., Salix alba L. and Acer platanoides having richum, showed a strong increase in the number
bark that is known to be slightly acid (Bark- of sites and population abundance but only within
mann 1958). that part of Halle town situated on the fl oodplain
The most spectacular increase occurred with of the Saara river. The 18 species reported from
Orthotrichum diaphanum, commonly occurring tree trunks in Halle (Müller 1993) occurred also
in Wrocław on walls and concrete (Fudali 2001). on trees in the Wrocław parks.
It seems probable that a strong intensifi cation of The species of bryo-epiphytes reported re-
building investment within the town in the last cently from tree trunks within the cited German
decade has promoted the expansion of subneutral towns seem to be heterogenic with regard to sub-
epilithic-epiphytic species and their settlement on strate specialization. The list contains not only
tree bark covered with building dust containing obligate but facultative epiphytes as well, such
concrete. On tree trunks Orthotrichum diaphanum as epiphytic-epilithic species, epixylic species,
was noted with high frequency also in Düssel- typical epiliths, species colonizing mainly humus
240 POLISH BOTANICAL JOURNAL 57(1). 2012
and multi-substratum species. This is also observed REFERENCES
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